Airalo VS Saily eSim Comparison
Airalo offers flexible coverage options, loyalty perks, and stronger app features, while Saily focuses on ultra-cheap, simple short-trip data. Airalo generally has more regions covered and more consistent speeds; Saily is usually cheaper for 1–20 GB single-country plans.
Quick Summary: When to Choose Airalo vs Saily?
Best for…
| Category | Airalo | Saily |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use case | Frequent travellers, multi-country trips, global or long-validity plans | Short single-country trips, budget-focused users |
| Key strength | Wide catalog, regional/global options, loyalty rewards, solid speeds | Lower entry prices, simple UI, strong value on 1–20 GB |
| Main trade-off | Often slightly more expensive | Fewer extras, data-only focus |
Pricing Comparison
Typical 2025 Pricing Patterns
| Metric | Airalo (example) | Saily (example) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB local plan | Around $4.50 for 1 GB / 7 days | Commonly $3.99 for 1 GB / 7 days |
| 20 GB / 30 days | Usually in the low–mid $20s depending on country | Around $24.99 in many countries |
| Global / long-validity plans | 10–20 GB roughly $57–66 with 180–365 days validity | Global options exist but shorter validity and smaller data blocks |
Price pattern:
- Saily usually wins for 1–20 GB short-duration country plans.
- Airalo is stronger for long-validity global plans and for users who benefit from loyalty credits.
Coverage and Speed
Airalo
- Operating since 2019 with broad local, regional, and global coverage (around 190–200+ countries).
- Generally strong 4G/5G speeds with fewer random slowdowns.
Saily
- Introduced in 2024 and now covering roughly 200 destinations.
- Speed is strong in popular markets, sometimes close to Airalo, though slightly more variable.
Summary:
Airalo is more mature and stable; Saily is competitive if you want cheaper local data and are okay with a newer platform.
Data Caps, Hotspot, and Calling
Feature Overview
| Feature | Airalo | Saily |
|---|---|---|
| Data model | Metered data (1–20+ GB), plus regional/global tiers | Mostly fixed-data tiers for country and some regional plans |
| Unlimited options | Typically none; buy more when used up | Occasionally soft caps in some destinations, but mostly fixed-data |
| Hotspot/tethering | Supported on most plans | Generally supported; depends on local carriers |
| Calls & SMS | Some plans include voice/SMS or numbers | Data-only, no native voice/SMS bundles |
Summary:
Both work fine for tethering and travel use, but Airalo has clearer documentation and more plan variety.
App Experience and Ease of Use
Airalo App
- Marketplace-style interface: local, regional, and global plans.
- Includes top-ups, usage tracking, and a loyalty program.
Saily App
- Extremely simple: pick country → pick data → pay → install.
- Fewer advanced options but ideal for quick, no-frills use.
Summary:
Choose Airalo for frequent travel and control; choose Saily for simple, cheap one-country trips.
Which Is Better for Different Traveller Types?
Traveller Guide
| Traveller type | Prefer Airalo if… | Prefer Saily if… |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend / 1-week trip | You might visit multiple countries or want regional/global options | You stay in one country and want the cheapest 1–10 GB pack |
| Digital nomad / slow travel | You value long validity (up to 180–365 days) and stable hotspot use | You travel within one region and use affordable 30-day plans |
| Budget backpacker | You want reliable backup global coverage | You optimise every dollar and choose the cheaper option per destination |
Device Compatibility and 5G Support
Compatibility
- Airalo: Works on most modern iPhones, Android phones, and some tablets/laptops.
- Saily: Works on most iPhones, many Android phones, and some iPads/Galaxy Tabs.
5G Support
Both offer 5G where local carriers support it. Real-world speeds vary by country network rather than the app itself.
Suggested Images to Include
- Split screenshot comparing Airalo vs Saily app home screens with example country plans (e.g., Japan 1 GB / 7 days and 20 GB / 30 days).
- Bar-chart style graphic showing starting prices (1 GB / 7 days), typical 20 GB pricing, and maximum validity for both providers.
Tasnima Tabassum Ema is the Founder and Lead Data Analyst at eSIM Expart. Driven by her own costly roaming nightmares, she built the site to save fellow travelers money. She specializes in rigorous, real-world testing and calculating the true cost per Gigabyte ($/GB) to ensure you always get the cheapest, most reliable connection.
